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Effects of two types of systematic practice on jitter and shimmer in adult stutterers and nonstutterers
173
ABSTRACTS
affects these variables. Subjects are six 3- to 5-year-old stuttering children and their parents. The results are discussed within the framework of the Demands and Capacities Model.
Effects of Two ‘ljpes of Systematic Stutterers and Nonstutterers C. Ferrand,
Hempstead,
Practice on Jitter and Shimmer
in Adult
New York, USA
Oral Presentation: I5 min. This study investigated the effects of practice with and without knowledge of results (KR) on vocal jitter and shimmer in stutterers and nonstutterers. 20 stutterers and 20 nonstutterers were randomly assigned to KR or nonKR practice groups. A baseline of IO sustained productions of /a/ was obtained for each subject. Thereafter, subjects underwent three practice sessions, each consisting of 20 sustained productions of /a/. Depending on group assignment (KR or nonKR), subjects either received or did not receive visual, numerical, and verbal feedback regarding each trial. A final transfer session was held two weeks after each subject’s third practice session. Data were collected and analyzed via a Kay Elemetrics Computerized Speech Lab. Stutterers and nonstutterers decreased jitter levels more with KR than without KR. Nonstutterers maintained this increased level of phonatory stability to a significantly greater degree than stutterers over a two-week interval without practice. This finding and others may indicate that, while stutterers as a group have difficulties with laryngeal control, some stutterers are able to increase vocal motor control given enough time and practice. This increase, however, appears not to be permanent. These findings are discussed in light of recent theories of motor learning and control.
Did Moses and Demosthenes S. Fibiger,
Stutter?
Odense, Denmark
Oral Presentation: I5 min. The myth tells us that Moses stuttered. But what is reality? In the Bible, we read: “Because my mouth and tongue are clumsy.” The Hebrew words used are kevad lasjon [English “slow tongue”] and kevad peh [English “slow speech”]. In the Septuagint, the Greek equivalent is ischnophonos kai bradyglossos [English “weak voice with slow tongue/ speech”]. Also the rabbinic legends, the Haggadah, use the Hebrew words kevad peh and kevad lasjon concerning the speech of Moses after he has put glowing coals to his mouth while sitting on the knee of Pharaoh, The French rabbi Rashi (104&l 105) translated kevad peh into b&us, which in the English version of the Pentateuch is translated as “a stammerer.” Also the legend of Demosthenes tells us that he stuttered. He was characterized by the Greek words trayldteta which means “lisp” or “stammering,” and cistheia kai glottes, which is equivalent to “a weakness in the tongue.” In fact Plutarch (46-120 A.D.) described Demosthenes as substituting rho with lambda. Upon translating the problem of Demosthenes into the Latin language, the word b&buries has been used. But besides “lisp,” this word also means “cluttering” (Psellotis, Balbuties) and substituting rho with lambda, or chi with tau (Traulotis, Bluesitas). Mercurialis (1584) mentioned that the last form of balbuties was the problem of Demosthenes.
ABSTRACTS
affects these variables. Subjects are six 3- to 5-year-old stuttering children and their parents. The results are discussed within the framework of the Demands and Capacities Model.
Effects of Two ‘ljpes of Systematic Stutterers and Nonstutterers C. Ferrand,
Hempstead,
Practice on Jitter and Shimmer
in Adult
New York, USA
Oral Presentation: I5 min. This study investigated the effects of practice with and without knowledge of results (KR) on vocal jitter and shimmer in stutterers and nonstutterers. 20 stutterers and 20 nonstutterers were randomly assigned to KR or nonKR practice groups. A baseline of IO sustained productions of /a/ was obtained for each subject. Thereafter, subjects underwent three practice sessions, each consisting of 20 sustained productions of /a/. Depending on group assignment (KR or nonKR), subjects either received or did not receive visual, numerical, and verbal feedback regarding each trial. A final transfer session was held two weeks after each subject’s third practice session. Data were collected and analyzed via a Kay Elemetrics Computerized Speech Lab. Stutterers and nonstutterers decreased jitter levels more with KR than without KR. Nonstutterers maintained this increased level of phonatory stability to a significantly greater degree than stutterers over a two-week interval without practice. This finding and others may indicate that, while stutterers as a group have difficulties with laryngeal control, some stutterers are able to increase vocal motor control given enough time and practice. This increase, however, appears not to be permanent. These findings are discussed in light of recent theories of motor learning and control.
Did Moses and Demosthenes S. Fibiger,
Stutter?
Odense, Denmark
Oral Presentation: I5 min. The myth tells us that Moses stuttered. But what is reality? In the Bible, we read: “Because my mouth and tongue are clumsy.” The Hebrew words used are kevad lasjon [English “slow tongue”] and kevad peh [English “slow speech”]. In the Septuagint, the Greek equivalent is ischnophonos kai bradyglossos [English “weak voice with slow tongue/ speech”]. Also the rabbinic legends, the Haggadah, use the Hebrew words kevad peh and kevad lasjon concerning the speech of Moses after he has put glowing coals to his mouth while sitting on the knee of Pharaoh, The French rabbi Rashi (104&l 105) translated kevad peh into b&us, which in the English version of the Pentateuch is translated as “a stammerer.” Also the legend of Demosthenes tells us that he stuttered. He was characterized by the Greek words trayldteta which means “lisp” or “stammering,” and cistheia kai glottes, which is equivalent to “a weakness in the tongue.” In fact Plutarch (46-120 A.D.) described Demosthenes as substituting rho with lambda. Upon translating the problem of Demosthenes into the Latin language, the word b&buries has been used. But besides “lisp,” this word also means “cluttering” (Psellotis, Balbuties) and substituting rho with lambda, or chi with tau (Traulotis, Bluesitas). Mercurialis (1584) mentioned that the last form of balbuties was the problem of Demosthenes.